GREEN SHOOT FILMS

GREEN SHOOT FILMS LAUNCHES NEW CONCEPT FOR THE FILM INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA AND SHINES THE LIGHT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Durban, South Africa 10 June 2010 - A new concept in film production has sprouted in South Africa with the launch of Green Shoot Films, a unique, eco-friendly film production company that strives to make a difference through adopting 'green' practices and producing 'movies that matter'. And they have achieved this in their latest awareness commercial about the dangers of fraudulent job offers being used to lure victims of Human Trafficking, which was shot on location in Durban.

Green Shoot Films is the first production company in South Africa to offer a full local and international production service, in an environmentally friendly way, setting it apart in an industry with a reputation for being wasteful and unsustainable. In explaining what makes Green Shoot Films eco-friendly, Producer Elle Matthews said, "We are committed to sustainable film productions that limit our carbon footprint, reduce whatever carbon emissions we can and offset those we can't. We support recycling in every way, and adopt environmentally sound and sustainable production practices. Most importantly, our entire production team is committed to our 'green' philosophy and to our efforts to bring about positive change through our film production practices."

Green Shoot Films also works with clients that have the welfare of people and the environment at the heart of their corporate culture, offering quality service, excellent production values and the most cost effective ways of giving clients exactly what they need to achieve their vision. One of the most distinguishing features of Green Shoot Films is that they produce films that highlight important issues. "We give a voice to those who would otherwise not be heard, and generally try and bring about change for the better," Elle Matthews said.

It was for this reason that Green Shoot Films dedicated its time and resources to the production of the hard-hitting Human Trafficking television ad, which will soon be seen on DSTV and ETV. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, and a form of modern slavery. Victims are abducted or lured away from family and friends by the promise of a better life or bogus job offers, are forced to work in both legal and illegal professions, as prostitutes, housekeepers or manual labourers. They are controlled through physical abuse - beatings, rapings or starvation - as well as psychologically and emotionally through drug dependency, threats against their family and debt bondage.

Award-winning Director Peter Matthews, who directed the Human Trafficking commercial said, "Green Shoot Films is passionate about the highest quality productions, the art in film, endangered wildlife and this planet we call home. The Human Trafficking ad is a visual testament to this. It was produced for a good cause by a team of good people, and I believe a lot of good will come from it."

The Green Shoot Films production team was formerly Tidal Wave Productions, producers of the international award-winning feature film Oil on Water, which centred on another social issue schizophrenia and which has secured distribution in the USA & Canada through Seminal Films/E1 Entertainment and globally through LongTale Distribution LLC.

Green Shoot Films is based in Durban, with an office in Cape Town, and undertake film, documentary and commercials productions all over South Africa.